Researchers say Canadian dairy farmers are doing a better job of getting colostrum to their calves and measuring to make sure those calves have absorbed enough to create passive immunity. Now they are pushing the boundaries further on uses for colostrum and finding value in feeding transition milk. Why it matters: Heifers that don’t receive […] Read more
Tag Archives Colostrum
Colostrum has value for sick calves
Colostrum testing and feeding frequency has risen on Canadian dairy farms
Quality colostrum vital for small ruminant newborns
Dam nutrition is key to increasing quality, quantity and in utero trace minerals
The best way to enhance health and reduce mortality in kids and lambs is to ensure adequate consumption of high-quality colostrum, preferably from the herd of origin. Dr. Robert Van Saun, Pennsylvania State University professor and extension veterinarian, told attendees at Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week that the calibre of dam nutrition from conception to lactation […] Read more
Boosting IgG levels in calves’ early meals
Speakers see potential benefits from changes in colostrum management
Strategies to ensure calves benefit as much as possible from colostrum were offered by two speakers at the recent 2022 Healthy Calf Conference. “We saw it when we went through that movement of feeding more milk (to calves),” said Dr. Kelly Barratt, former Heartland Vet Services partner and current director of welfare for Saputo. Why […] Read more
Transition milk continues to show benefits
Improved gut health and reduced mortality are some benefits
A recent study shows that dairy farms are encouraged to feed transition milk to calves following the colostrum feeding. Transition milk is defined as the second to sixth milking after calving. “It’s low in IGG (immunoglobulin G) concentrations, but higher in other bioactive molecules like hormones and oligosaccharides and antimicrobials that have other benefits for […] Read more
Understanding the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of colostrum for calves
Some fundamentals about what we should be feeding and how we can assist calves
We have known that colostrum is important to calf health for a long time. Calves are born with an immature immune system and they depend on the intake of antibodies in colostrum called immunoglobulin G, or IgG, to protect them during early life. This process is called the transfer of passive immunity. However, our understanding […] Read more
Are dry cow diets decreasing colostrum quantity?
Specialists ponder trend of low yield from first and second milkings
A dairy nutritionist who reached out to farmers on social media wants to hear from farms not getting enough colostrum on first, second and third milkings. In an interview with Farmtario, Trouw Nutrition Canada’s Keith Schweitzer described it as a trend for fresh cows being “slow out of the gate” to ramp up production. “There […] Read more
Group housing gives insight into tailored calf diets
Partnered calves had greater dry matter consumption than singles
Group housing may be the most cost-effective option for tailoring calf nutrition to stage of growth. Why it matters: The veal and dairy industries continue to weigh the pros and cons of individual versus group calf housing, and studies could tip the scales toward group housing. Attendees at the virtual edition of the Healthy Calf […] Read more
Success with beef starts at the calf level
A veterinarian says farmers cut back on animal health as a cost saving
Glacier FarmMedia – Calf health is the No. 1 priority for success on a beef operation. The top third of producers invest the most in genetics, nutrition and animal health. They do not cut back on feed because they do not want calves to lose weight, said veterinarian Joe Gillespie of Boehringer Ingelheim. Why it […] Read more
Calves benefit from longer colostrum feeding
Gut development is enhanced if they get more than a couple of colostrum feedings
Multiple feedings of colostrum in the first few hours of life is an important investment in that calf’s long-term productivity, researchers say. The more feedings of colostrum a calf receives in its first first few hours of life the better it is for long-term productivity, farmers attending a recent research says that colostrum fed for […] Read more
Calves benefit from mother’s post-colostrum milk
University of Guelph study identifies ‘bio-actives’ in days two to four of lactation
Taking newborn calves completely off colostrum after one or two feedings may contribute to future health challenges, according to as-yet-unpublished research by the University of Guelph’s Department of Animal Physiology. Instead, explained Associate Professor Dr. Michael Steele in the annual webinar series of the US-based Dairy Cattle Welfare Council (DCWC), it might be advisable to […] Read more
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